Barry Manilow has a new hit album ("The Greatest Songs of the Fifties") that entered the Billboard charts three weeks ago at Number One and stunned everyone. It's his first chart topper in 29 years. He says he feel vindicated after all those put-downs. "I feel like I wasn't crazy all these years for continuing to stand up for the kind of music I believe in," he told United Press International.

He just celebrated the 100th performance of his hit Vegas show Manilow: Music and Passion and PBS will air it (March 11) as part of its March pledge drive.

And he's here today and was online Wednesday, March 8, at 3 p.m. ET to talk about it all. The man has sold over 75 million albums worldwide.

A transcript follows.

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Fishkill, N.Y.: Hi Barry, I was just wondering with the recent and well deserved success of "The Greatest Hits Of The Fifities" CD, will you ever consider going back on the road?

Barry Manilow: I'm assigned to the Las Vegas Hilton for a couple of years but that doesn't mean I might not sneak away for a weekend here and there so be on the lookout.

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Fall River, Mass.: Does the music that begins the "Music and Passion" show get you as pumped up as it does your fans?

Barry Manilow: More so. I created that based on all of my favorite electronica music and it gets all of us crazy before we come out on stage.

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Baltimore, Md.: On the Fifties album, are you trying to sound just like the originals or are you doing a new version that's more yours?

Barry Manilow: It's a challenge. I can't go too far away from the originals but I need to put myself in the songs, so I'm walking a thin line.

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El Cajon, Calif.: Barry, having created, recorded and sang with the best of the best, who would you want to record with next?

Barry Manilow: Sting.

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New York, N.Y.: Do you find it frustrating that Broadway only seems to mount revivals?

Barry Manilow: I don't agree. There are revivals, there are brand new musicals, there are jukebox musicals and frankly some of those revivals deserve to be revived.

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Harrisburg, Pa.: How were the songs from the Fifties picked? Were these your personal favorites or songs you thought people would more want to hear? Were there some songs you wish you could have added to the album?

Barry Manilow: These were the ones that sounded best coming from me. There were many others but these were the best ones for my vocal ability.

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Carmel, Maine: Any news about your play, "Harmony"?

Barry Manilow: Yes, lots of news. I should know about the next step within the next few weeks, so cross your fingers.

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Puyallup, Wash.: Do you have any original songs that you are currently working on that may someday go on a new album?

Barry Manilow: I've got an original idea that the fans will adore. I've been working on this idea for the last six months and if I ever release it it will be only for the fans through my company called Stiletto.

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Cleveland, Ohio: I enjoyed the treatments you gave the songs from the 50's on your new CD, Barry, and I've heard that you plan to tackle the decade of the 60's next. Will you be looking for more mellow ballads, or those with a rock edge?

Barry Manilow: I'm staying mostly mellow but the sixties began to rock and I'm investigating that.

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Pittsburgh, Pa.: Who designs your clothes for the Vegas shows?

Barry Manilow: A gal named Leslie Hamil who is the daughter of Suzanne Somers.

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Fairfax, Va.: Do you have any feelings about the pimp song winning the Academy Award this year? Do you think it should have won?

Barry Manilow: I think Henry Mancini is turning over in his grave.

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West Hollywood, Calif.: What are your fondest memories of working as Bette Midler's musical director? Any wild stories you want to share?

Barry Manilow: It was the most creative time in my life. We batted ideas back and forth like baseball players. We fought like a married couple and we loved like a married couple. The final result was explosive and it made both of us stars.

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Hicksville, N.Y.: You seem to be really into electronica music. Any chance fans will hear some original electronica music from you in the future?

Barry Manilow: I don't think so.

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Miami, Fla.: What do you think of the "American Ido"l craze? Are you hooked too? Do you think that kids should be trying to gain stardom in that fashion or take it slower or more tradition route?

PS.. Love all your songs! Love that you write them, arrange them and sing them!!

Barry Manilow: I fear for those kids on "American Idol". I fear they're becoming extremely popular too quickly. I feel that they don't get to pay their dues and within months they end up in front of thousands of people. It can really throw you for a loop when you're that young.

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Barry Manilow: I'm doing "Idol" in a couple of weeks. Last time I kind of coached them and gave them arrangements and then I judged them and then sang and I'll be doing all of that again.

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Purcellville, Va.: I loved your collaboration with Bette Midler on the Rosemary Clooney songbook -- it still gets a lot of play in our house, especially "Sisters." Do you plan to work with Bette again soon?

Barry Manilow: Yes, both of us are so busy but we're trying to figure out a time to another album.

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Hamburg, N.Y.: Hi Barry, how do you prepare for and find the immense energy and passion you put into your Vegas show?

Barry Manilow: The audiences do it for me. Standing in front of this crackerjack band is like singing in front of a Mack truck -- you have to be dead not to be excited.

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Washington, D.C.: Hi Barry, I was in a karaoke bar recently where a guy did a great version of "Could It Be Magic." So, I wonder... if you could have any other artist record your music, who would it be? Thanks!

Barry Manilow: The Basement Jaxx or James Blunt.

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Utica, N.Y.: My mother and I both think you're great -- she's in her late 50s, and I just turned 30; that's some long-term popularity. Do you think that your songs are simply of the "timeless" genre, or have you actively tried to keep in sync with changes in popular music over time?

Barry Manilow: I have purposely tried not to stay in sync with the times. I just do what feels good.

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Baltimore, Md.: Hi Barry!

I have your album on steady rotation right now. But out of curiosity, what are you listening to now? Anything I should keep my ears out for?

Barry Manilow: Wait a minute. Let me go through my stuff here. The new Ramsey Lewis album. Michael McDonald's "Blue Obsession." The James Blunt album. A guy named Devon Niko and Jason Mraz.

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Barry Manilow: And the Scissor Sisters.

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Alexandria, Va.: Barry...I loved you on "Will and Grace"! VERY funny! Do you enjoy doing those types of television appearances?

A "fanilow"!

Barry Manilow: No, I don't. I'm terrified. I don't know how these people do it every week.

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Grand Rapids, Mich.: I love when you bring Debra Byrd on stage with you. Where did you meet her and where is she now?

Barry Manilow: I met her over 20 years ago. She was one of my background singers for many years and then "American Idol" hired her to be their vocal coach. She coaches all those lucky kids on "American Idol" and she also does "Canadian Idol," "Mongolian Idol" ...

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Hastings, Neb.: Is there any truth to the rumor that you are going to do an audiobook biograhy?

Barry Manilow: Yes, it's called an audio biography but there's no talking on it. Just music from the very beginning. Music that has never been released.

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Munich, Germany: Have you ever tried your hand at jazz or blues?

If you were to compose and record an album with someone like Sting, what musical direction do you think it would take?

Barry Manilow: I've recorded lots of jazz and blues: "Paradise Cafe," "Swing Street," "Singing With the Big Bands" and lots of jazz and blues songs sprinkled throughout my career.

I think with Sting it would be standards.

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Vancouver, Wash.: Out of curiosity, do you read your fan mail?

Barry Manilow: Yes, I do. My company sends me e-mails that the fans send me.

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Manasquan, N.J.: Hi Barry: Other than the piano and the accordion, how many musical instruments can you play? You are so right about your band, they are the best musicians in the business.

Barry Manilow: That's about it.

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Downtown cubicle: Hi Barry!

Thanks so much for doing this chat. Other than chatting with your fans, what do you like to do in your spare time?

Barry Manilow: Read. Go to movies, have dinner with friends, play with the dogs, make music.

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Chelmsford, Mass.: I love your Vegas show. I've flown cross country to see it then come right home three times now (worth the trip every time!). Do you think the new video "Music and Passion" was able to capture that magic? I can't wait to see it on PBS. Best wishes for continued health and success!

Barry Manilow: Thank you for flying all the way to Las Vegas three times. The "Music and Passion" show on PBS Thursday night is one of my proudest achievements but what's even better is the DVD which captures much more that what they were able to air on PBS. They ran out of time. But they're selling the DVD of the whole thing with outtakes and bloopers, the making of the show, the making of the TV show, it's a fantastic DVD.

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Oakdale, Minn.: Mr. Manilow, I've never heard a performer who could convey yearning as well as you do in your songs. Why do you think you are able to relate emotion so successfully?

Barry Manilow: I'm glad you feel that way. I try my best to tell the truth in every song I sing. If I succeed, that's real emotion.

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Hallandale, Fla.: Would you ever consider doing an album on classical music with you on the piano?

Barry Manilow: It's a beautiful idea and I've actually begun one and you never know.

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Washington, D.C.: Barry, what is your favorite "slow" song of yours? Why?

Barry Manilow: "Somewhere Down the Road."

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Barry Manilow: Then there's one from the new album, "Are You Lonesome Tonight."

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St. Louis, Mo.: Where did you find the members of your fantastic band and background singers/dancers? They are all so talented.

Barry Manilow: The band and the singers come from all over. Some I knew personally, some were recommended and some I auditioned. They are the best band I've ever had.

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Los Angeles, Calif.: Barry --

You have been such inspiration and I hope you're singing for the next 50 years. When you finally put the microphone down, how would you like your performing career to be remembered?

Barry Manilow: I would like to be remembered as someone who made you feel.

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Fairfax, Va.: Hi Barry --

My videotapes of your decades-old television specials are wearing thin. I hardly ever watch them as I would hate for something to happen and they get destroyed. With all the new digital media available, will you ever consider releasing your previously recorded TV specials or concerts? We treasure the moments of you singing with Ray Charles, John Denver, and dancing with Ann Miller -- and would love to see them again in "high-def"!

Barry Manilow: Warner Bros. is just about the put out every single television special I've ever done so you'll get a chance to see them all in Hi Def on the DVDs that are released.

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Washington, D.C.: What do you think is the best song of yours to play at a wedding? Mine is in two weeks!

Thanks!

Barry Manilow: Play a song called "I Am Your Child." It's from my very first album, followed by "Copacabana." The crowd will go wild.

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Moon Township, Pa.: Barry,

Do you think "Music and Passion" will run well into 2007?

Barry Manilow: Maybe even longer.

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Leesburg, Ohio: You recorded quite a few albums in other languages back in the 1980's....do you have a count of how many foreign languages you have sung?

Barry Manilow: I think four: Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese and Italian.

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Manhattan law firm, N.Y.: I know how you make the fans feel (the emotions run the gamut, but love is at the top of the list) -- how do we make you feel?

Barry Manilow: Grateful.

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Barry Manilow: Thanks for all your questions. Don't forget to watch the PBS special and send me your e-mails for the "Barrygram" (monthly fan club newsletter) and then I answer them and we can answer questions all month long.

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